Apple has surprised iOS app developers by announcing a plan to charge 27 percent commissions on third-party payments-nearly as high as Apple's standard in-app payment cut of 30 percent. While Apple is applying the 27 percent commission only to dating apps in the Netherlands in order to comply with a government order, critics worry that Apple will charge commissions in any country where it's required to allow third-party payments unless such commissions are specifically forbidden. In a new support document for developers, Apple said the 27 percent commission will apply even when a developer simply links to their own website. "To comply with an order from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), Apple allows developers distributing dating apps on the Netherlands App Store to choose to do one of the following: 1) continue using Apple's in-app purchase system, 2) use a third-party payment system within the app, or 3) include an in-app link directing users to the developer's website to complete a purchase," the document's introduction said.

Explaining that the 27 percent commission applies to options 2 and 3, the document said:

Consistent with the ACM's order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions. Apple will charge a 27 percent commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities.